Flight to Santa Cruz

The milkman
see all photos »

After picking up some local honey and a delicious Chorizo sandwich in the market, caught a micro (bus) to the airport for 1 Boliviano and hopped on a plane to Santa Cruz via Cochabamba.  Flying into SC around 8pm I witnessed the spider web of lights characteristic of the city´s design.

Hot, humid,the bustling modern city (the country's second largest) will be a jump off point to head to Brazil.  Spend the first night at a basic hostel.

The Montreal of Bolivia...?

Bust in the main square
see all photos »

Given the rain, I did quite a bit of Internet time and walked around a lot, including a long trek to the train station to figure out how to catch the Death Train eastward...so-called, I think, due to the number of bodies that arrived from the jungle due to Malaria.

Santa Cruz is a fairly sophisticated city, youthful and most importantly...well dressed.  The Montreal of Bolivia...?  Quite a few ladies were out most evenings, decked out and strutting their stuff in the Plaza 24 de Septembre (the main square)...where, funnily enough, they have erected a female bust...the ideal woman´s body...? Enjoyed some tasty Empanadas and gelato, observing some of the city life, including mobile coffee vendors in the main square and milkmen who grab your attention with a mooing bicycle horn!

Booked my ticket for a brutally long train ride to the Western border of Brazil...off to another country tomorrow.

Spent my last night in town at a pleasant hostel with a wonderful courtyard, surounded by lush vegetation and some hammocks.